Declan Rice is a doubt for England’s World Cup semi-final in Atlanta after illness forced the Arsenal midfielder off at half-time during the quarter-final victory over Norway.
Rice had spent three days in bed before Saturday’s match, having picked up a sickness bug in Mexico, where England beat the co-hosts 3-2 in the last 16. Thomas Tuchel confirmed the situation after the 2-1 extra-time win over Norway in Miami, and Rice is understood to have not yet fully recovered. However, his condition has improved markedly over the past 48 hours, and there is growing hope he will be fit to start on Wednesday.
England’s medical staff are set to make a late call on his availability, with Tuchel waiting to see how quickly Rice’s condition improves before making a final decision. The midfielder himself is almost certain to push to be declared fit given the scale of the occasion.
Rice has an additional concern beyond the illness, having carried a neural problem affecting his lower back and hamstring for several months. The 78-cap midfielder has started all but one of England’s World Cup games, missing only the 2-0 group-stage win over Panama due to an injury flare-up.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
